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If you have been looking to install a single ply roofing system to your commercial property, you can’t go wrong with EPDM roofing. What EPDM stands for? EPDM stands for ethylene propylene diene monomer. What is EPDM roofing made of? This type of roof membrane is made of ethylene and propylene, making is a synthetic rubber. Because of the materials that are used to make EPDM roofs, they are incredibly durable. So, Are EPDM roofs any good? The answer is yes and for many reasons.

Energy-Efficient: One of the most popular reasons for choosing an EPDM roof is that they are very energy-efficient. When you choose EPDM roofing, you can save up to 25% on energy savings.

Resistant: Because your roofing is outside all day every day, it can become damaged to inclement weather, outside elements, UV rays, and temperature. Fortunately, the materials that makeup EPDM make it very resistant to UV damage, temperature damage, outside elements, and severe weather.

Eco-Friendly: Because of the way EPDM roofs are applied, as well as the materials that are used to create it, it is one of the more environmentally friendly commercial roofing options to choose from.

Low Maintenance: EPDM roofing is made from rubber which makes it a more flexible roof to take care of. It should be inspected annually, but it does not need as much maintenance as most commercial roofs do.

Long-Lasting: When an EPDM roof is taken care of the best way possible, it is able to last up to 50 years. This is because its rubber membrane is very flexible and durable.

EPDM Roofing Vs TPO

Knowing If TPO or EPDM Roofing is Better is Going Depend On Their Characteristics.

When deciding on a single ply roofing system, the two types that are always compared with one another are EPDM and TPO roofing. Many people want to know if TPO better than EPDM. It’s important to note that both the roofing membranes are different–EPDM is thermoset and TPO is thermoplastic. Choosing whether EPDM or TPO is better for your roof is going to depend on what you are looking for in a roof. Both have their different advantages and disadvantages. Looking at different factors and how they differ can give you a better idea of what single ply roof is the best for your commercial building.

Cost

The cost of TPO is going to be more expensive than EPDM. EPDM roofing only costs between $1.80 to $3.50 in materials, whereas TPO costs $1.90 to $3.50. You also have to take into account the cost of installation, with EPDM also being cheaper than TPO.

Installation

The cost of EPDM is less than TPO and the time it takes to install an EPDM roof is also quicker than installing a TPO roof. That is because TPO roofing uses chemicals to put on the roof, as well as a hot air gun to fuse the roofing seams and EPDM roofing is mechanically installed and only requires seam tape.

Reflectivity

When a roofing system reflects UV rays, it means that it makes the building colder. TPO roofing is able to reflect sunlight from the roof, whereas EPDM roofing retains it. This means that EPDM roofs are better at warming buildings than keeping them cool. This is due to the fact the EPDM roofing comes in a black material and TPO is typically a white material.

Maintenance

Because of the way that TPO roofing is installed, it is going to need more maintenance in order to ensure that the seams don’t come up. However, it is important to note that EPDM roofs, while they don’t need a lot of maintenance, must still have proper maintenance in order to keep it in good condition.

Lifespan

When it comes to which single ply roof will last the longest, that also goes to EPDM roofing. EPDM roofs have been around since the 1960’s so they have had time to perfect the material, whereas TPO is still a new type of single ply roof. How long does EPDM last? EPDM roofs will last anywhere between 20 to 25 years and a TPO roof will last 15 to 20 years.

Is EPDM Rubber Waterproof?

EPDM Roofing is Waterproof and Has Other Great Qualities.

One of the great things about EPDM rubber roofing is that it is waterproof. This means that if your roof suffers from poor drainage, it can really benefit from having EPDM installed. Because of its material, many people want to know what is EPDM rubber used for? In addition to being a very durable and long-lasting roofing material, it is also used for HVAC and automotive purposes. This is actually beneficial because if other industries are using this type of material, then it must be a great material for a commercial roof. Because saving money on heating and cooling bills is very important, one of the best colors for a roof material is white; does EPDM roofing come in white? While it can come in white, it is more commonly a black, rubber material. Although EPDM material is black, it is still an energy efficient roofing system.

If you have ever looked at the roof of a public building, you have probably noticed that their roofs are flat. This is because the taller that buildings get, the more dangerous it becomes to have sloped roofs that residential homes have. Commercial buildings are often double the size of what a large residential home would be, too, so the width of the space couldn’t support an angled roof as easy as it could a flat roof all across. So while flat roofs are better for safety, they don’t do great on leak protection. If you need flat roof repair in Pittsburgh, PA call Jantzi's Roof Restorations at 724-734-3056. We are the commercial flat roofs experts in Pittsburgh, PA.

Pros and Cons of Flat Roofs

Our Roofers Can Install Or Repair Your Flat Roofs!

Walkable Yet Fragile Rooftop: Depending on what type of commercial flat roof you have, there might be tons of rooftop storage space to use and walk on, or it may be too fragile. If there is not a whole lot of rooftop storage but you are tight on space, opt for necessities that hardly take up any room like tankless water heaters.Affordable But Leak Prone: Flat commercial roofs are made of cost effective materials which lowers installation prices dramatically. But the materials are cost effective because they are not extremely strong, so repairs and replacements happen much more frequently than residential roofs. The most common repair for flat roofs are patching leaks, because water has nowhere to drain to on a flat roof, so it pools and seeps through the roof.Wide Variety of Materials But Shorter Lifespans: There are so many flat roof options, from single ply membranes, modified bitumen, built up, cool, green, metal, and more! Flat roofs like built up and single ply have one layer of roofing, so damages make their lifespans around 20 years. Restorative roof coatings can extend them by more than 10 years.

Regardless of how well you maintain your roof, the day will come when it needs replacement or restoration. Though employed to resolve the same problem — an aged or compromised roof — these two processes are widely different in their cost, implementation, and effects. Roofing replacement, or re-roofing, represents a complex, involved, and expensive project. Roof restoration service, on the other hand, can occur quickly at an affordable price. If possible, Jantzi's Roof Restorations always recommends that clients pursue restoration.

Roof Restoration Service Benefits

When we perform a roof restoration, you can count on a host of benefits. If you’re interested in this service, make sure to pursue it quickly, as roofs damaged beyond a certain point are no longer eligible.

Affordability: A roof restoration runs less than half the cost of full replacement.

Cool Roofing: The roof coatings used in restoration work improve a roof’s reflectivity to raise the energy efficiency of your structure.